- CAJAC
- SADC Alliance
- BRICS
Johannesburg, 1 October 2026 – The Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa (“AFSA”) and its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Andile Nikani, announce that they have mutually agreed that Mr Nikani has concluded his tenure as Chief Executive Officer of AFSA with effect from 30 September 2026. The decision follows discussions initiated by Mr Nikani with the AFSA Board.
During his tenure as Chief Executive Officer, Mr Nikani led AFSA as it continued to strengthen its position as a leading arbitral institution in Southern Africa, with a particular focus on modernisation.
The AFSA Board thanks Mr Nikani for his leadership and his contribution to the continued development of the institution, and wishes him every success in the future.
The separation is amicable. AFSA will continue to advance its institutional mandate and ongoing programmes, and the Board will communicate its leadership arrangements in due course to ensure continuity in AFSA’s operations.
Mr Nikani expressed his appreciation to the AFSA Board, staff, committee members, practitioners and stakeholders with whom he has worked during his tenure.
“It has been a privilege to serve AFSA and to contribute to the continued development of arbitration and mediation in South Africa and across the continent,” said Mr Nikani. “I am grateful to the Board, our staff and all my colleagues with whom I have worked. I leave AFSA well positioned for its next chapter and wish the institution every success.”
AFSA administers arbitration with neutrality and expertise, delivering binding resolutions under rules aligned with global best practice.
AFSA’s administered mediation is a confidential, collaborative process led by accredited mediators, helping parties reach solutions while preserving relationships. As a Recognised Mediation Organisation, AFSA drives the Gauteng High Court Mediation Protocol, advancing ADR in the legal system.
AFSA offers world-class venues to support seamless dispute resolution, in-person or online. Our facilities ensure comfort, efficiency, and a high-quality experience for every participant.
Through the AFSA Training Academy, we advance the future of dispute resolution with programmes presented by industry experts for lawyers, corporate counsel, and aspiring ADR practitioners. Our training modules prepare the next generation of specialists and embed best practices across the industry
The Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa (AFSA) is a non-profit dispute resolution authority that administers and manages the confidential resolution of a wide range of domestic and international disputes through administered mediation, arbitration, and related processes. AFSA’s head office is in Sandton, Johannesburg, with branch offices in Cape Town, Pretoria, Durban, and the Garden Route.
